Friends of Saguaro National Park – 2023 Online Auction
Auction Ends: Oct 14, 2023 07:00 PM MST

Antiques

Tohono Oodham Man in the Maze Basket

Item Number
51
Estimated Value
2500 USD
Opening Bid
1500 USD

Item Description

This is an excellent 17” Tohono O’odham Man in the Maze basketry plaque. Circa 1940. It depicts two unique attributes.  Primarily the weaver wove a “Double Pathway” for I’itoi, the "Hero Creator” depicted at the top, which means she had to create two rows of white Yucca for every one row of black Devil’s Claw, therefore spend over 30% more time in weaving it, and having to furnish over 30% more material in making this pristine example as compared to a typical Man in the Maze basket which has a one to one ratio of pathways. Secondly, she wove I’itoi with his hand in the air waving in a friendly gesture as he starts his life’s journey, quite optimistically.  A very symmetrical and balanced piece. The appraisal of value is provided by Terry DeWald, a member of the Antique Tribal Art Dealers Association.